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"What shall I do?" 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



CONVERT'S FIRST QUESTION. 



Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Acts 7: 6. 



Written for the Massachusetts Sabbath School Society, antl 
Revised by the Committee of Publication. 




BOSTON: 

MASSACHUSETTS SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY, 
Depository, No. 13 Cornhill. 

1844. 




Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1844, 
By CHRISTOPHER C. DEAN, 
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



To one who has chosen the path of 
Christian Discipleship, this is a question of 
no common import. A mighty change has 
come over your spiritual prospects, a change 
which has been described in clear and de- 
cided language by the pen of Apostles. 
Such an inward renewal implies an out- 
ward change, that must be clearly discern- 
ed by every one who knows you. It is 
sometimes told us, that so christianized are 
all our habits and pursuits at the present 
day, so blended have they become with re- 
ligious principles, that in many just and 
amiable persons no visible change can be 
recognized by their companions. It is rare- 
ly, if ever so ; you were children of dark- 
ness, you have become children of the light ; 



4 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



— you were heirs of the woes of hell — you 
are co-heirs of Christ to a heavenly inheri- 
tance ; — you ivere under the eternal curse 
of violated law — you are redeemed and 
made partakers of the blessed freedom 
of the children of God; — can such a change 
of principles, of hopes, of destiny, not be- 
come apparent to the eye of men? In that 
heart, where Christ is formed the Hope of 
Glory, can its renewed and elevated opera- 
tions fail to become visible to the keen 
scrutiny of the world ? Full of this new 
and delightful change, reaping its first 
blessed fruits, in love, joy and peace, you 
have now become epistles, living epistles, 
known and read of all men. 

Look around and see how many there 
are, who are so entirely governed by the 
maxims of worldly prudence, who are so 
drugged by worldly pleasures, that except 
as they sit down at the Lord's Supper at 
stated times, and their names are enrolled 
on the annals of the church, in vain could 
you find their title to " a mansion in the 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



5 



skies.' 5 They look askance when you 
speak of the love of Christ, they "hope it 
will last" when you speak of the activity 
of the Church, they grnmblingly reply 
when you ask their money for the service 
of the Lord, they are fault-finding, censo- 
rious, pleasure-seeking. They clog the 
church by their indifference, they betray 
its interests, they dishonor its principles, 
they discredit its elevated profession. 

" She a Christian ! then I do not wish to 
go to heaven !' ; feelingly exclaimed an in- 
dividual, who witnessed the daily life of 
one who had only a "name to live." It 
was not the sneer of envy, it was not the 
rebuke of unbelief, it was not said of one, 
who had grossly outraged the proprieties or 
the principles of piety ; it was the involun- 
tary ejaculation of one, who, thrown into 
daily intercourse with a professing Chris- 
tian, could discern nothing of the spirit of 
Christ, where he had expected and hoped 
to feel its blessed influences. It is true, 
that the world expect a holy walk in those 
who profess it, and it is no less true that 
I* 



6 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



they are too often grievously disappointed. 
How does the fine gold become dim ! How 
indistinctly traced on the blotted and dis- 
figured page are the living language and 
the shining characters of the Epistle of 
Christ. 

Is such to be your course ? Shall you fall 
from your high estate ? Shall you shrink 
coldly from the high duties of your profes- 
sion? Shall you grow unmindful of the 
exalted interests you are called upon to 
sustain ? May it never be so. May you 
stand on your mission-ground valiantly, 
trustfully, prayerfully. The Christian walk 
is no less a warfare now, than it was de- 
scribed to be on the plains of Judea. The 
battle ground is changed, but it is no less 
a battle ground still. There is little real 
difference between the rugged heights, the 
bold passes, the uneven valleys, where 
Prophets and Apostles bore the conflict, and 
the smooth, broad encampment of our own 
times. With bristled front, their enemies 
met thern at the hearth-stone, by the way- 
side and the altar ; at home and abroad, at 



WHAT SHALL I DO ? 



7 



midnight and at midday, secretly and 
openly, whether in the form of Roman op- 
pression or Jewish unbelief, did the enemies 
of the faith of Christ, " breathing out threat- 
enings and slaughter against the Disciples 
of the Lord,' 7 bring them before councils 
and synagogues, banish them to distant 
lands, or condemn them to a martyr's death. 
Our lives have fallen to us in pleasanter 
places ; but let us not be deceived, our good 
fight is not yet fought, our victory is not 
yet won. You are on the camping ground 
of a vigilant, prompt, active, well-trained 
enemy — outward hostility is indeed laid 
aside — old weapons of warfare have fallen 
into disuse — you have common ground, 
where you pursue the same objects and 
sympathize in the same pursuits, but 
the instructions of your Great Leader re- 
cognizes still, the long, clear line of demar- 
cation between you and them, and by all 
that you hold dear, warns you of the woe 
which accompanies defection from his au- 
thority. In intimate alliance as you now 
seem to be thrown, with the enemies of the 



8 



WHAT SHALL I DO ? 



cross, you are in fearful and constant dan- 
ger of being seduced from your allegiance 
to the Captain of your salvation. 

When you look at the weakness and im- 
perfection of your own hearts, and behold 
the holy standard which is set before you 
in the Gospel, you may be almost tempted 
to relinquish your holy calling, through 
very inability of sustaining it; when you 
look at the thousand allurements of life and 
think of the watchfulness and self-denial, 
which you are called upon unceasingly to 
exercise, you may be tempted to yield the 
contest ; and if you look to yourself for the 
inward might it is not strange that you 
should feel thus : but be not disheartened : 
as the branch is united to the vine, so are 
you united to that true vine from which you 
can draw abundant strength: the parting 
blessing of the ascending Saviour was the 
blessed assurance, " Lo, I am with you al- 
way;" and the united testimony of every 
Disciple has ever been the living and sav- 
ing fulfillment that " Thy Grace is suffi- 
cient for me." 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



9 



There are temptations which beset the 
path of the young Christian, that are so 
common, they are scarcely regarded as 
temptations, and yet they are no less dead- 
ly and dangerous in their influence upon 
your piety. They are habits which steal 
so imperceptibly upon us that no common 
watchfulness is necessary to guard well 
their first approaches. 

Take heed then in the choice of your 
reading, and above all things, be not a 

NOVEL READING- CHRISTIAN 

Not having seen Esther for some time I 
was greatly pleased with the prospect of 
passing the evening with her. Many de- 
lightful things regarding the commence- 
ment of her religious life had been told me 
and I greatly desired some personal inter- 
course with her. She came with two or 
three others. Her appearance was cer- 
tainly attractive. During the evening we 
found ourselves quietly seated on the sofa 
together. Speaking of the peculiarly inter- 
esting religious movements of the day, about 
which every Christian, certainly every 



10 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



reading Christian, ought to be well inform- 
ed, I found neither sympathy or interest 
kindled within her bosom. 

" And what are you reading now, Est- 
her?' 7 J inquired. " Oh, such a charming 
work ! Bulwer's last, have you read it?" 
:she asked with great animation. 

" No/' I answered. 

"Novels are really fascinating, I cannot 
help indulging myself in reading them oc- 
casionally— the characters are absorbingly 
interesting; I hope you read them some- 
times. 5 ' 

"And do you find, my dear Esther, that 
his books make you more holy, more pray- 
erful, more humble-minded ?" She blushed 
deeply, her eyes were cast down and she 
made no reply. " Esther is it so?" u No, 
Jar from it," was the reluctant yet candid 
reply. Esther's testimony was a true one. 
I had not seen her long, before I saw that 
her religious character had been greatly in- 
jured by this sinful indulgence. 

Meeting a lady one day, she turned 
eagerly to my companion, " Have you got 



WHAT SHALL I DO ? 



11 



V mentioning a fashionable novel. d 'El- 
len is sick to day, and she begged me not 
to come back, without getting it for her — 
she is in dreadful want of something to 
amuse her." And Ellen was a Chris- 
tian. God was reminding her of her mor- 
tality, and instead of being in earnest about 
making her calling and election sure, she 
desired only to steep her soul in the fascina- 
tions of a corrupting fiction. 

A novel-reading Christian is a spiritual 
bankrupt. Novel-reading piety is baptized 
worldliness. 

When you first drank of the waters of 
life and were healed, you were so filled with 
love, you were so charmed and interested in 
all which pertains to Godliness and the 
Cross, that all other reading appeared dull 
and insipid ; with a keen relish for spiritual 
things, you could hardly open a book which 
did not speak to you of Jesus, and you 
felt that life is all too short to read, to 
study and to exhibit the truths of salvation, 
and you rejoiced in that endless eternity 
which will reveal to you forever the glories 



12 



WHAT SHALL I DO ? 



of the Lamb. This should be your tone 
of feeling, and every year should find it 
stronger and deeper within your soul. 

" What harm do novels do?" has been 
many times asked and answered. True 
there is a deliniation of life, of manner and 
of character which contains much that is 
useful and valuable to the reader, but a 
very large portion of fashionable literature, 
corrupts both the heart and the mind. 
What harm do novels do ? To the young 
Christian, may be applied this simple test: 
Do they open your eyes to the beauty of 
holiness? do they fit you for prayer? do 
they impart strength to purpose and firm- 
ness to principle? No — no — no. How 
anxiously is sought every fresh importation 
of corrupting fiction ! how greedily are 
read those magazines of the day filled with 
foolish, sensual, superficial reading ! They 
deify all which the Christian should lightly 
esteem. Personal charms are made of para- 
mount importance. The sparkling eye, the 
ruby lip, the lily hand, fashion, volup- 



WHAT SHALL I DO 1 



13 



tuousness, wealth, are the component parts 
of admired heroines ; reckless ambition, 
bully courage, refined sensuality and mis- 
anthropic hate, are the prominent traits of 
approved heroes. " The lust of the flesh, 
the lust of the eyes, the pride of life" are 
the materials of the novelist. We are 
commanded, "not to be conformed to the 
world," "not to love the world, neither 
the things that are in the world;" "the 
world is to be crucified unto us;" and it 
is regarded the highest victory of faith to 
"overcome the world." Does not she forget 
these solemn injunctions, who retreats into 
her chamber only to dwell upon the spark- 
ling page of the novelist," portraying the 
world in its most fascinating colors'? is not 
the young Christian imbibing a delicious 
yet dangerous poison which is polluting the 
life-blood of her piety 1 

The prominent defect of the novel-read- 
ing Christian is the predominence of feeling 
over principle. 

She retires to her chamber, not for study 

or profitable meditation, but to resume her 
2 



14 



WHAT SHALL I DO 1 



favorite authors ; the midnight hour finds 
her reading; she closes the book and strives 
to collect her scattered thoughts ; she opens 
the Bible, but a blur is over her moral vision, 
and she reads without understanding what 
she reads ; she kneels in prayer, but the gay 
and thrilling incidents of story have so pow- 
erfully seized upon her imagination, she 
scarcely realizes whom to address and for 
what to pray; she retires to the pillow to 
review again and again, the strange and 
fascinating scenes ; her morning thoughts 
re-echo her evening reading, until her mind 
is drawn to an absorbing contemplation of 
whatever is fanciful or unreal. This men- 
tal dissipation indisposes her for sound 
thought and steady attention. Every ob- 
ject is viewed through a distorted imagina- 
tion. She weeps over the sufferings of the 
Son of Man, while she fancies him an ill- 
fated hero ; she admires more the moral 
grandeur of the Apostles than she desires 
to imitate their self-denying principles. 
Pathetic preaching affects her ; a melodious 
voice and a graceful gesture win her admi- 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



15 



ration while she turns with secret disrelish 
from plain and pungent truth. 

When the dangers and temptations of 
seamen are depicted by a master hand, the 
seamen's cause has no more honest ally ; 
while the Car of Juggernaut and the wid- 
ow's pile are vividly and touchingly de- 
scribed, she desires nothing so much as to 
visit heathen lands and carry the glad 
tidings of salvation ; but if the elevation of 
seamen or the departure of the missionary 
depend upon her aid, they must forever re- 
main as they now are ; in a few days her 
emotion subsides, or her feelings become 
enlisted in some new object. 

You have no time for reading such 
as has been described. It is a peculiar 
day in which you live ; a day which de- 
mands thought and a clear, discriminat- 
ing eye. Great moral elements are in 
agitation; fundamental truths are called 
in question; old opinions are upturned; 
strange theories are forced upon the 
public mind ; fanaticism in a thousand 
forms is unfurling its banner and many are 



16 



WHAT SHALL I DO ? 



running hither and thither to join its 
ranks. Enthusiasm is blinding the eye; 
false Prophets are in the land, with smooth 
tongues and lying hearts; good men are 
adopting strange and corrupting errors; 
those teachers in whom we have confided 
are here and there like waves of the 
sea. We feel bewildered, and ask with 
feverish interest, what is truth? where is 
the right? Now it is you need power to 
discern the great landmarks of truth; and 
how can you get that power, but by fre- 
quently consulting those who placed them 
all along the waysides of life 7 First the 
Bible must not only be read, it must be 
profoundly studied. It is the great intel- 
lectual as well as moral treasury. See 
to it, that you have no superficial knowl- 
edge of its contents. Let the articles of 
belief to which you subscribe on the day 
when you take the vows of God upon you, 
be not adopted because your pastor says, 
"they are true,*' or because your friends 
believe them ; let it not be a hereditary or 
social belief; subscribe to them because you 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



17 



know they are true, and that knowledge 
must be the result of study, of investiga- 
tion, of prayer, of individual, earnest seek- 
ing. Then only can you stand secure, on 
the corner stone, and no sophistry can drive 
you hence, for you can tell the reason of 
the truth that is in you. 

Be conversant with the great and good 
men who have gone before you. There is 
much superficial religious reading thrown 
out upon the public, at this day. The 
gilded volumes make pretty ornaments for 
a centre table, but do not take them to your 
chamber when you sit down thoughtfully 
and seriously to read. Take Doddridge, 
and Baxter, Leighton, and Luther, and 
Edwards, and Dwight. 

" Do not give 'Edwards on the Affections' 
to a young convert," said a clergyman's 
wife, a give him something easier." 

No, it is not easy to enter the kingdom 
of heaven, and read nothing to make it 
easier than the Bible says it is. " Strive 
to enter in, many shall seek to enter in and 
shall not be able," is the solemn injunc- 
2# 



18 



WHAT SHALL I DO ? 



tion. Then read those authors, who leav- 
ing through much tribulation of spirit, 
entered into the kingdom of God ; are 
capable of pointing out to you the dan- 
gers, the snares, the delusions, which may 
lead you astray, and impart to your soul 
a false security and a premature peace. 
Be well-read in all the missionary litera- 
ture which is yearly accumulating; it is of 
deepest interest and importance, embracing 
a wide and varied field of investigation. 
The researches of ardent and intrepid mis- 
sionaries in the South Sea Islands, in India, 
in China, in Syria and Palestine, in Africa, 
have brought forth treasures of knowledge 
in respect to Geography, History, Geology 
and indeed for almost every department of 
science. They instruct men under every 
climate and condition, and they find him, 
however prostrate may be his nature, still in 
no small degree conscious of the defilements 
of sin and in some way striving to work out 
his salvation. The success of the missionary 
enterprize in civilizing man is without par- 
allel in the annals of the world's history; 
to change a heathen land to a Christian 



WHAT SHALL I DO ? 



19 



community need not be the work of ages, 
of ambition, of human knowledge. The 
instrument for social, political, as well 
as moral regeneration is found to be, the 
simple power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 
Carry that to a circle, however degraded, 
and civilization in every form will follow. 

How has the power of this living, sav- 
ing faith been magnified, by its wonderful 
achievements in heathen lands ! by the aid 
of its vitality, nations have been born in a 
day, and the desert made to blossom as a 
garden of the Lord. 

Every Christian should strive to attain 
a thorough knowledge of missionary opera- 
tions and follow them along from month to 
month and year to year. It is your bright- 
est commentary upon the Bible, and one, 
u which whoso runneth, may read." 

On this stormy sea your mind needs bal- 
last. These are the writers which will 
supply material weighty enough for ballast. 
It is not true that woman should con- 
fine her reading to lighter authors ; the 
part, which she has to act, is not unimpor- 



20 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



tant, although her peculiar duties lie within 
the sanctuary of her own home. But her 
influence is a strong influence, flowing 
in a thousand rills, detected less by 
its noisy gurglings, than the verdure and 
greenness which is springing up beside it. 
You want healthly material in your mind ; 
something to think upon — something that 
will compel you to think — something that 
will induce you to draw less upon your 
fancy, more upon realities — something 
that will enable you to steady and restrain 
your imagination — something that will give 
force to your character and power to your 
influence — something that will make you 
feel that life has higher ends than to dress, 
to pay visits, to amuse and to be amused. 

"She always makes me think , J? said a 
young man, of one whose steady well-fur- 
nished mind rebuked his flippant flattery, 
"yes, and I honor her for it." 

May you be so honored. 

Set apart a portion of each day, be it 
ever so small, for valuable reading; rise 
earlier than you now do, if need be. In- 
graft sound doctrines upon your minds. 



WHAT SHALL I DO ? 



21 



Live in the light of great truths. Then will 
every new year be marked by increasing 
power of thought and ability to discriminate 
between truth and error, sophistry and ar- 
gument, chaff and wheat, and you will be 
less and less liable to be blown about by 
every wind of doctrine. 

Take heed to the tone of your action 
and be not a 

PLEASURE SEEKING- CHRISTIAN. 

The claims of the Foreign Missionary 
Society were presented with uncommon 
power and ability, Avhen the Society were 
suffering under the pressure of a heavy 
debt, and repeated calls were coming from 
mission grounds all over the world, ''come 
and aid us." Its officers were greatly de- 
pressed and hardly knew where to look for 
help; yet the church coffers were full and 
the disciples of the Lord were living lux- 
uriously. Strong appeals were made for the 
sympathies and sacrifices of Christians, and 
it is well known the great Christian heart 
did not shrink back at this trying crisis. 

u Begging ! begging ! always begging !" 
exclaimed a lady after hearing a powerful 



22 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



sermon upon this subject. " I suppose we 
must do something more — what shall I 
do?" thought she. 

" You ought to do much for your divine 
Master, he has prospered your worldly in- 
terests/ 7 whispered conscience. "But there 
are so many calls — it cannot be expected 
you should give to all/' suggested the de- 
ceitfulness of sin. 

" Begin to make sacrifices for Christ — 
what sacrifices have you ever made for his 
cause? think of what he has done for 
you," pleaded principle. 

"If I only had more to do with ! If I 
were as well off as the A's, or if I had half 
of B's money. If I could only give of my 
abundance," clamored feeling; and what 
feeling would do, thrust aside the appeals of 
what principle ought to do. 

The next day this lady went abroad. 

Article after article attracted her atten- 
tion. " That beautiful muslin ! you must 
have it," shouted vanity. " And that ex- 
quisite lace, it will become you so much." 

" But you really do not need them," 
suggested prudence. 



WHAT SHALL I DO ? 



23 



" They are so becoming — besides it is 
important to be well dressed — let people see 
that religion does not consist in Quaker 
dresses and long faces/ 5 slily remarked 
Satan. 

" Then they are so cheap," said sel- 
fish economy. " Will not these take 
from your mission money?" interposed 
principle. 

" Think of that by and by — this is not 
the proper place," smoothly decided deceit. 

" Perhaps I had better take them, they 
are so cheap and so pretty." The conflict 
ended; costly articles were bought — mis- 
sion money diminished or denied ; self was 
the object, therefore the purse was long. 

She returned home; an invitation was 
was handed her. "To the Derons ! I have 
been so little into society since I was sick, 
perhaps I had better go" — musing — " yes, 
it will be expected of me." 

" Church meeting this evening," sug- 
gested principle. 

" But parties do not happen every Friday 
night. Then I ought to go to the Derons, 
because I did not go to their last party — » 



24 



WHAT SHALL I DO % 



they will think it very strange, besides the 
vestry seats are uncomfortable and the 
meetings keep in so long":- — by such argu- 
ments was conscience silenced, not satisfied 
to be dragged from the assembly of the 
saints to scenes of pleasurable excitement. 

Pleasure seeking Christians ! how the 
church of Christ is clogged by their indif- 
ference to her interests ; nay, not indiffer- 
ence merely, but total disregard of that 
covenant by which their interests are wed- 
ded to hers. In their hearts, self is not 
only not subdued, but the contest between 
self and the claims of Christ is feebly sus- 
tained or altogether relinquished. No time, 
or expense, or labor is spared to obtain ob- 
jects for immediate gratification, and curi- 
ously imperative is the u ought" which 
would impose upon conscience a necessity 
not to be gainsayed or denied. First love 
has long departed from such hearts ; con- 
scientious Christian action has long been 
shackled by worldly maxims ; a new alli- 
ance has been gradually formed with the 
world, to supply objects and interests ab- 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 25 

sorbing enough to quell the reproaches of 
conscience and subdue that restless disquie- 
tude, which every retreating Christian must 
so severely feel, as the distance lengthens 
between herself and her Saviour. There 
is now one serious difference, between her 
present state and the period before she 
tasted the cup of salvation, to which she is 
keenly alive. Then the allurements of the 
world did actually impose upon her; its 
gay excitements exhilarated her spirits and 
its changing pursuits satisfied her mind. 
But the time came when eternity was real- 
ized, when sin was seen in its hideous de- 
formity, when God the avenger drew near, 
when Christ was the only ark of safety and 
hope of salvation ; then how did the pur- 
suits of the world shrink before immortal 
hopes and eternal interests. Having once 
tasted the joys of redeeming love, however 
deeply may that soul plunge again into 
worldly principles and habits, it can never 
forget its memory of heaven ; when most 
eager for earthly honors, it must after all 
feel they are but " beggarly elements." 
3 



26 



WHAT SHALL I DO I 



Thus is the pleasure seeking Christian one 
of the most pitiable objects in the universe. 
Like the great self-seeker of old, she strives 
to keep up a good understanding both with 
her master and his enemies ; but it will not 
last long ; the dreadful apostacy will at 
length be unmasked and the stricken soul 
must learn when too late for repentance or 
amendment, that it cannot serve God and 
mammon. 

The prominent defects, of the pleasure 
seeking Christian, are speaking disparag- 
ingly of Christian effort, and giving grudg- 
ingly to objects of Christian benevolence. 

They speak disparagingly of Christian 
effort, because as self becomes the great 
aim of life they are no longer able to appre- 
ciate the self-denial or the watchfulness of 
the Lord's disciples. Finding no echo with- 
in their own bosoms, they are often more 
ready to impute it to some secret, selfish 
motive than to a Divine principle within. 
Perhaps consistent Christian character is a 
silent but stern reproof, and can be hardly 
borne ; how can the keen edge be more ea- 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



27 



sily blunted than by a fault finding, harsh, 
caviling criticism of Christian practice? 

They have ceased to sympathize with 
their blessed Master and they refuse longer 
to co-operate with him in extending his 
cause on the earth ; he knocks at their 
door but they heed it not ; he speaks and 
they answer not. 

Mournful state ! may such never be 
yours. 

Borderers on the land of Zion, they 
have looked upon its crystal streams and 
golden streets, they have heard the music 
of its celestial choirs, and yet they turn 
aside to play with the stubble beneath their 
feet, and listen to the senseless chatterings 
of the forgetters and dispisers of God. 

Take no uncertain position for your great 
master. As the lines between formal and 
spiritual religion are becoming more clearly 
defined in these latter days, see to it that 
you are fully on the Lord's side. Let your 
daily life correspond to the high and exalt- 
ed motives by which you now profess to be 
governed : you are no longer of the world : 



28 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



you are no more to be governed by its 
maxims, or conform to its fashions or seek 
its friendships — you are set apart to exhibit 
the principles of a purer faith and of a 
heavenly origin. Your daily life must be 
holy, humble, undefiled, separate from sin- 
ners, your will must be constantly subordi- 
nate to the will of your Saviour : u Whatso- 
ever you do, whether ye eat or drink, do all 
to the glory of God." All your duties con- 
verge towards one grand point, to honor 
your Divine master ; honor him with your 
speech ; honor him with your influence ; 
honor him with, your money ; honor him 
by frequenting the house of prayer and by 
prefering the society of the people of God. 

Thrown into so many points of contact 
with the world, it would seem wonderful 
that you should not insensibly imbibe its 
spirit, but you have a light within your 
soul, which reveals your dangers; thus 
warned, you may avoid any alliance which 
will tend to injure the purity of your Chris- 
tian character. 

Be sure there can be little evidence of 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



29 



Christian discipleship if you live a half 
way Christian ; let there be no secret hank- 
ering after the pursuits of the world : go 
not slowly and reluctantly about Christian 
duty : love, joy and peace will enter your 
soul and dwell there, a blessed sisterhood, on- 
ly as you are heartily, earnestly striving 
to press forward in your heavenly calling. 
Remember you are a heavenly inhabitant. 
Your riches are laid up in heaven ; your 
joy is in the blessed Spirit, your hopes are 
hid in Christ ; your prospects are not bound- 
ed by time, they extend far away into eter- 
nity, even to the great white throne of Di- 
vine majesty and love ; your pursuits, your 
supreme interests must be such as are dear 
to the heart of your Redeemer, such that he 
will delight in, sympathize with, and bless. 

Let your daily life be a living epistle of 
Divine truth. Justified by the blood of 
Christ, saved by the blood of Christ, sancti- 
fied by the blood of Christ, cherish the 
spirit of Christ and let him come and take 
up his abode in your heart, speaking 
through your mouth, seeing with your 
3# 



30 



WHAT SHALL I DO 1 



eyes, and going about ministering with 
your hands. 

Then will you perform your true mission 
on the earth. It is not by preaching, by 
writing, by talking, that the Redeemer's 
kingdom is to be most effectually advanced 
upon the earth ; not by these that the deep- 
est impressions are to be made upon sinful 
hearts, not by these are the strong holds 
of Satan's empire to be upturned and de- 
molished — no, it is the power of self-deny- 
ing, uncompromising Christian example that 
must do this— the beauty of holy living 
must be daily witnessed ; its value must 
be daily acknowledged, its power must be 
daily felt — and a holy life hath indeed, as 
one of old has said, a majesty like the form 
of a God, a sweetness like the voice of an 
angel. By holy living does the humble 
disciple become a light to the world, that 
cannot be hid ; become as salt to the earth, 
preserving and purifying ; a living epistle, 
to be known and read of all men ; a temple, 
of God, reared to rebuke the idolatry of sin. 
All these comparisons are full of deep mean- 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



31 



ing; they are not over- wrought language. 
They are meant to tell us just what every 
disciple of the Lord should be, and yet you 
have read them over so often from very 
childhood, that the words and phrases have 
grown common to your ear — study them, 
meditate upon them, pray over them, if 
you would know your whole duty, if you 
would be, what God has designed you to 
be to a dying and sinning world. How 
few begin to live up to their high calling — 
how few seem to have the faintest concep- 
tion of its exalted character ! but that so 
few do, in no way lessens the eternal re- 
sposibilities which rest upon you. Let ev- 
ery new year find your 16 lamp trimmed 
and burning,' 7 and when your last year 
shall have numbered its days, may the next 
era in your spiritual history be marked by 
a joyful entrance into the mansions of eter- 
nal joy and heavenly rest. 



32 



WHAT SHALL I DO $ 

BE DILIGENT IN CULTIVAING DIVINE FRUIT. 

If you are indeed cleansed from your de- 
filements by atoning blood, and the good 
seed has been sown, and the light of Divine 
favor and the dews of Divine grace have 
descended upon your soul, then all things 
are made ready for an abundant harvest. 
Oh, stint not the springing blade or the 
opening blossom, or the ripening fruit, by 
hiding yourself from the Sun of righteous- 
ness or drying up the waters of life. How 
many seared and withered branches are 
there, in the Lord's vineyard ! How many 
pale and sickly shoots, just ready to perish ! 
How many blighted, falling blossoms ! 
They flourish well for a season, but hav- 
ing no root, they withered away. 

Remember that your only evidence of 
discipleship is, that you bear the fruits of 
the spirit. " He that abideth in me, and I 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



33 



in him. the same bringeth forth much 
fruit." 

" Herein is my Father glorified, that ye 
bear much fruit, so shall ye be my disci- 
ples." 

And what is that blessed fruit, upon 
which your eye must dwell with greatest 
desire, and which you should hunger after 
with deepest longing ? 

" Love ;" and love is the great essential 
element of Christian character. The Pa- 
gan world feel it not, and the Jews com- 
prehended it not : Love of kindred and tribe 
and tongue, did indeed exist, but a love, — 
so wide that it comprehended in its sympa- 
thies the interests of the whole human fam- 
ily, and so deep that no perils, or dangers, 
or self-denial could quench it, if it might 
win a soul to the kingdom of heaven, — 
the world never saw until Jesus appeared ; 
" His very soul was love." Galilee beheld 
it, healing the sick, and raising the dead, 
and consoling the penitent ; Olivet heard 
its midnight prayers ; Gethsemane witness- 
ed its overpowering struggle; at the Cross, 



34 WHAT SHALL I DO? 

unwearied and undying, amid the agonies 
of Crucifixion, do we find it speaking in 
tenderest tones, "Father, forgive them, for 
they know not what they do." Oh, who 
can imitate love like this? When we look 
at the hatred, the variance, the envyings 
which spring up in our own hearts, we feel 
that such love can never dwell amid so 
much strife ; but just such love is for 
our imitation, our practice ; it is the very 
bond and badge of discipleship : u by this 
shall all men know that ye are my disci- 
ples, if ye love one another.' 7 

A settled amiability of disposition, quite 
at peace with all the world, is sometimes 
mistaken for this love; no, it is not a cold 
and passive love ; not a mere well-wishing 
love towards those who do us no harm ; it 
is active, hearty, earnest, " blessing them 
that curse you, doing good to those who des- 
pitefully use you.' 7 It lives and acts des- 
pite opposition and revilings : it is untired, 
watchful, ever on the alert to apply a heal- 
ing, saving balm ; it is patient and obedi- 
ent; "it beareth all things, hopeth all 



WHAT SHALL I DO ? 



35 



things, endureth all things;" such love is 
a fulfilling of the law, for it is the ready 
obedience of the heart, which giveth all its 
interests, thoughts and affections into sub- 
jection to the Divine will and thinketh it 
no hard thing. Cherish a love like this, 
and remember it cannot dwell with ill 
thinking of thy neighbor, with a fault find- 
ing, caviling spirit, with a haughty brow, 
and a cold, unthankful heart. 

If you really possess it, it will become a 
well-spring of " Joy " within your soul. So 
prone are professing disciples to linger in 
the outskirts of sinful indulgences and 
forbidden pleasures, so ready with ex- 
cuses to tarry yet a little longer amid the 
bustle and business of life, so reluctantly 
do they come to the cross or the closet, that 
the unbelieving world think the service of 
God must be a hard service, full of tears 
and heaviness. This is not the testimony 
of the Bible and of the disciples of old ; not 
the testimony of those who get near the 
mercy-seat ; not of those who are pressing 
forward for the mark of the prize of the 
high calling of God, not of those, who can 



36 



WHAT SHALL I DO ? 



triumphantly exclaim, "I am 'persuaded 
that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor 
principalities, nor powers, nor things pre- 
sent, nor things to come, nor height, nor 
depth, nor any other creature shall be able 
to separate us from the love of God, which 
is in Christ Jesus our Lord." There is an 
element in the Christian experience known 
to such as these, to which the lukewarm 
and half-way disciple is an utter stranger, 
joy in the Holy Ghost, deep, abounding, 
overflowing joy. 

It beamed down from the upper world 
upon the dark and thorny path of the Son 
of Man, " who for the joy set before him, 
endured the cross, despising the shame, 
and is now set down at the right hand of 
the throne of God." It entered into that 
blessed kingdom that he came to establish, 
" which is righteousness, peace and joy in 
the Holy Ghost." Then did " the God of 
hope fill the new born disciple with all joy 
and peace in believing," u so that they re- 
joiced with a joy unspeakable and full of 
glory." Even amid tribulation and an- 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



37 



guish could they "rejoice, inasmuch as 
they were partakers of Christ's sufferings; 
that when his glory shall be revealed, they 
may be glad also with exceeding joy" It 
can only enter your soul when you have 
made an unreserved dedication of yourself 
to Christ: when you harbor no secret sin, 
however small, when you are fully set on 
the Lord's side with no will adverse to his, 
no purpose before his, no affection straying 
from him, but looking up to him with a 
believing, loving, trusting heart. 

"Peace." The foot-print of Love. 11 Gen- 
tleness and Goodness" Twin graces in the 
Christian character. 

u Long Suffering" In the strife of con- 
tending opinions and in the heat of mis- 
guided zeal, how much revenge and bitter- 
ness spring up in the heart; how many 
harsh and bitter expressions fall from the 
lips. In the disappointments and tiials of 
every day life, how much fretfulness and 
peevishness and anger often deface the 
Christian profession. How the memory of 
4 



38 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



affronts is perpetuated by a spirit of retali- 
ation and retort. This must not be ; it is 
utterly inconsistent with the -work of the 
spirit. Cultivate a disposition to bear in- 
juries, without expressing resentment or 
desiring revenge. Bear and forbear under 
the discouragements, delays and opposi- 
tion, which you must meet with, from one 
another. Study often that pattern of Long 
Suffering set before you in the Gospel, lui- 
til your soul is brought into a holy conform- 
ity to it. "When He was reviled, he reviled 
not again ; when He suffered he threatened 
not so we, being reviled, must bless : be- 
ing persecuted, we suffer it; being defam- 
ed, we entreat. If we are tempted to for- 
get or overlook this important trait of Chris- 
tian character or think lightly of it, or mis- 
take the emotions of our hearts, look away 
to that long suffering mercy and tender- 
ness which God has exercised towards you, 
while you remained so long impenitent, a 
rebel against his rightful authority, despis- 
ing the riches of his grace. Behold how 



WHAT SHALL I DO ? 



39 



long he has borne with you, waited for 
you, called after you, restrained you by his 
providences, visited you by his spirit, sur- 
rounded you by the bright evidences of his 
love. Behold how you broke away from all 
these, and followed the devices of your 
own evil heart. Think of all this, and be 
very humble. If God can bear so much 
from you, will you magnify the small of- 
fences or the intended slights or the pro- 
voked assaults of your fellow creatures? 
Forbear, if you would be mercifully dealt 
with — forgive, if you would be forgiven. 

u Faith." Faith believes in the declara- 
tions of God, relies on his promises, and 
acts without doubting or weariness. There 
is quite enough of intellectual belief among 
the people of God — as one not long since 
said, " I do not in the least doubt that God 
can and will do all that he promises to his 
children, I believe to the fullest extent in 
all his declarations, and yet I do not take 
hold of them" — yes, it is cold, inoperative, 
lifeless. Such is not the faith which shone 



40 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



in the dying Stephen and impelled the un- 
wearied Paul ; not the faith of patriarchs, 
apostles, martyrs — not the faith of that 
bright host who through much tribulation 
entered the kingdom of God ; not the faith 
of the disciples of our own time, who win 
souls to Christ and live as strangers and 
pilgrims on the earth. Your prayer should 
be, "Lord increase my faith.' 7 When we 
see the ways of Zion mourn, children of 
the covenant departing from the faith of 
their fathers, error misleading great and 
honest minds, we stand back appalled and 
ask, why are these things so? Then do 
we need to keep a steady eye on the Divine 
sovereignty and faithfulness- — then must 
we look upon unseen glories to urge on our 
fainting spirits. We must not marvel and 
strive to penetrate into the hidden ways of 
God, but come like little children, stand fast 
by his word, keep close to his promises, 
place our hands within his, and ask him 
to direct our steps. 

It is when we look more at his instru- 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



41 



ments than at himself that our faith grows 
cold. We dwell more on their feebleness 
and insufficiency than on his ability and 
willingness. 

Keep your eye on your Lord, and your 
faith will not fail. Look at the glorious 
salvation which he has wrought out for 
you, at the heavenly inheritance which he 
has prepared for you, at the assurances of 
his presence and his strength through your 
trying pilgrimage, and can you not live by 
faith in him and labor for him, and pray, 
knowing him to be the hearer and an- 
swerer of prayer. 

Such a living, justifying faith will pro- 
duce a holy life. It will enable you to de- 
ny yourself, to live soberly, righteously and 
godly ; it is the faith, which overcomes the 
world and bears you to the bosom of your 
Saviour. 

u Meekness" It is a beatitude, a pat- 
tern, an ornament. " Blessed are the meek, 
for they shall inherit the earth." " Learn 
of me, for I am meek and lowly of heart 
4=* 



42 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



and ye shall find rest unto your souls." 
" Put on the ornament of a meek and quiet 
spirit which in the sight of God is of great 
price." It is a disposition which God 
delights in. It is contented with what it 
has, grateful for every blessing, it avoids 
giving offences, is willing to witness the ad- 
van cement of others ; it is open to receive the 
word of the Lord, ready to obey, and affec- 
tionately desirous of taking a low place, if 
God but be honored and his kingdom ad- 
vanced. It sorrows over sin, it softens the 
heart, it deplores its instability, and it 
moulds it anew into the image of its Saviour. 
Meekness is a distinguishing mark of Chris- 
tian character, full of beauty and tenderness. 

" Temperance" An equilibrium of spirit, 
an even, well balanced mind, not running 
into excess here, or plunging into the 
" slough of despond" there. It keeps the 
body in subjection with its appetites and 
passions ; it restrains that zeal which is not 
according to knowledge, and subdues those 
sympathies and affections which are the 



WHAT SHALL I DO ? 



43 



growth of excitement, rather than of sober 
thought and deep-rooted principles. While 
you cover yourself with temperance as with 
a mantle, remember it is not cold inaction : 
it is not inconsistent with the most fervent 
devotion, the most unwearied self-denial, 
the most zealous well-doing, in the service 
of your Divine master. 

All these graces of the spirit, these fruits 
of righteousness, combine to form com- 
pleteness of Christian character ; they make 
that Divine union in the soul which " pre- 
sents one perfect in Jesus Christ." 

The standard of Christianity is a perfect 
standard ; its attainments are no less pure 
and exalted than a likeness to God himself. 
How must your heart shrink from such a 
work, and you be bowed down in your sins, 
and forever despair of such accomplisment, 
did not He who made the requirement, in 
infinite mercy grant you the power to 
obey it; " now the God of Peace that 
brought again from the dead our Lord 
Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, 



44 WHAT SHALL I D0 1 

through the blood of the everlasting cove- 
nant, make you perfect in every good work 
to do his will, working in you that which 
is ivell pleasing in his sight, through Jesus 
Christ : to whom be glory forever — Amen.' 7 



45 



WHAT CAN I DO? 

DO GOOD AROUND YOU. 

A lady of Mr. 7 s church suffered 

greatly from depression of spirits : so mor- 
bid at times became her feelings, that she 
grew dissatisfied with every thing around 
her, almost lost her good hope in the Re- 
deemer, and felt as if she had nothing to 
live for. 

She often conversed with her Pastor and 
friends upon her sad estate, but their coun- 
sels and prayers produced little effect. 

"I feel that I am of no use,' 7 she said 
mournfully one day to a Christian friend, 
whom she had not seen for a long time. 

" No use ! a disciple of the Lord and of 
no use !? ? he exclaimed, u your master has 
work for you to do and are you standing 
idle ? what shall you tell him when he 
comes to reckon with you?" His earnest 
tone arrested her attention. 



46 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



" What shall I do? the hours often 
pass heavily by." " And have you just 
begun to ask the question? have you not 
already explored your vineyard, to find out 
what is to be done? Have you not looked 
about you on the right hand and on the left 
to see what means your Saviour has put 
into your power, to advance his cause upon 
the earth ? Did you not remember that the 
day is short, and the night cometh when 
no man can work— what you would do, 
must be done quickly." 

She reluctantly confessed that hitherto, 
these had been unasked and unanswered 
questions. 

"Are there no poor in your neighborhood ? 
Have you no sick and suffering about you? 
Are there no young minds to be impressed 
and no souls to save ? Is there no good 
word to speak for your Saviour ? " 

" I always contribute my money, when- 
ever it is solicited," said the lady in an 
excusing tone. 

"An important duty, but not all — not 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



47 



all," continued the gentleman — "go your- 
self and learn the power of sympathy — are 
there not the suffering and infirm of your 
church ? go and stand by their sick beds 
and speak to them of Christ — visit the 
houses of the destitute — learn from them 
the story of their sins and sorrows — speak 
the word of reproof or of kindness and bear 
to them a Redeemer's dying love — you must 
not sit in your pleasant parlor, aloof from 
a suffering, sinful world — you are Christ's 
and must be Christ-like, literally going 
about and sympathizing as he would sym- 
pathize with the wants of distressed hu- 
manity, the sorrows of a dying world — 
have you no impenitent friend, whose 
soul is dear to you ? what have you done 
in good earnest for its eternal safety?" 

"Say no more," exclaimed the lady, 
tearfully, " I am the unprofitable servant, 
all my work is yet undone." 

While many of the Lord's disciples are 
already in the field, rising up early and sit- 
ting up late, there are multitudes of others, 
who have never begun to labor for their 



48 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



Lord. They open their purses, they hope 
well, they are excellent well-wishers, but 
they have no conception of that joy 
which springs up in the heart of those, who 
literally " go about doing good." Look 
about you with a ready hand and an earn- 
est heart, and you will be surprised to 
find how many avenues of advancing your 
Saviour's kingdom will be opened to you, 
in the ever varying providences of God. 

There are those, and with sorrow may it 
be said there are not a few, who feel 
that they are safe within the pale of the 
church : being there, all in the end will be 
well with them, and they will sit down to 
take their ease : ah, it was no easy path 
the Saviour trod, and we, if we would be 
like our great master, must take up our 
cross and follow him. 

Our power and our influence cannot be 
delegated. We cannot give a piece of 
money to the church and the minister and 
hire them to do the business for us — we 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



49 



cannot throw our individual responsibilities 
upon a praying relative or a faithful friend. 
We act as individuals for our master ; we 
shall be judged as individuals. Go your- 
self, and explore your field and see where 
you can labor most efficiently. 

Is not the Sabbath school still in need of 
teachers. Go there, and be prompt, faith- 
ful, earnest in your calling. Remember 
you have the charge of souls, and teach 
and pray and labor for the salvation of 
your precious little ones ; you have some- 
thing far higher to do, than to keep them 
out of mischief, or from play, or even to 
impart a little Biblical instruction. You 
must aim, with God's aid, to make a moral 
impression on their hearts ; moral renew- 
al is the great thing they need, and any 
aim short of that, is traitorous to their good 
and to your master's cause. 

Who is the little boy shivering at your 
door? his path now intersects your path; 
it may be his heavenly Father has sent him 
hither, to cluster new influences around his 
5 



50 



WHAT SHALL I DO ? 



heart, and to bear light and relief to his 
destitute home. Speak kindly to him, ask 
him of his wants, follow him to his mother 
— can you do nothing for the comfortless 
family ? Perhaps you behold much to dis- 
gust and discourage you — the Saviour saw 
a great deal to discourage him while he 
was upon the earth, but he was not dis- 
gusted or discouraged; neither must you 
be, by small difficulties ; — you must expect 
to be disappointed in some of your best- 
timed efforts ; you must not be surprised at 
unfaithfulness, at ignorance, at deceit in 
those for whom you desire the highest 
good : dark and erring minds, and sinful, 
suspicious hearts, cannot readily under- 
stand or co-operate in your labors of love; 
— but go on, and there are few hearts that 
will not be penetrated with your love and 
rejoice at your coming and ask who sent 
you hither ? Then can you point to Him, 
who hath loved and died for them. 

Are you attired for a walk ? Why not 
tur n aside into that obscure alley, and 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



51 



visit that lonely chamber and sit by the 
side of that poor and feeble disciple 9 A 
few words of sympathy to her, will avail 
more than all you have said in a series 
of fashionable calls. Open her Bible and 
read to her and listen as she tells you of 
the precious presence of her Saviour during 
midnight suffering — how his love supplies 
every want, and the riches of His Grace is 
more than houses and lands and many 
friends. Cannot you learn a lesson from 
her long-suffering patience, from her holy 
resignation and lively gratitude, of deepest 
worth to your own soul ? cannot you more 
fully realize that Christ is indeed all that 
he promises to be to the dying believer? 
Is not your faith firmer, and cannot you go 
on leaning more trustfully upon an Almigh- 
ty arm ? 

Have you brothers and sisters ? In no 
limited sense, are their souls in your keep- 
ing. Is an elder brother finding less hap- 
piness at home than abroad and are his • 
steps wandering into forbidden paths ? Win 



52 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



him back again. Strive to place home- 
sweets before him. Let him witness the 
cheerfulness and loveliness of fire-side piety. 
By self-sacrifice and kindness let him feel 
how dear to you are his interests, until you 
gain his ear and draw his heart, and then 
tell him of his duty and his destiny, of 
Jesus and heaven. 

Are there those younger than you ? Seek 
opportunities, when their minds are inquir- 
ing, to lead them onward to Divine truth. 
When their hearts are torn by anxieties and 
disquietudes, from which even little children 
are not exempt, and they are full of heavi- 
ness, tell them how sin and sorrow go hand 
in hand all over the world, and that Jesus 
alone can roll off the heavy burden and 
give them strength to go on in the straight 
path of duty. 

Have you interesting books or papers ? do 
not put them away in the library or closet 
quite yet. Cannot you make them a means 
• of benefitting others, even as you have 
been profited yourself? Will not the page 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



53 



that strengthened your faith strengthen 
the faith of some fainting friend ? Will not 
the book which has imparted to you re- 
freshing views of duty on new and interest- 
ing aspects to truth, do good to some mind 
that has not the means of obtaining it, un- 
less you think of her, and send it to her 
house ? 

Will not the fact that has encouraged 
you in your labors of love, also encourage 
others? 

You may do an amount of good, far ex- 
ceeding your faintest conceptions, by a wise 
loaning of good books. The seeds of life 
may become thus scattered here and there, 
through your instrumentality, which will 
spring up and bear a precious harvest of 
fruit. 

"How many ways are open for doing 
good," writes a pious lady, "if our eyes 
are only open to behold them. We seem 
to be walking about asleep, so unmindful 
are we of what God is willing to let us do : 
we should be on the watch to do good, even 
6* 



54 



WHAT SHALL I D0 1 



as Jesus is always on the watch to do us 
good. I remember one week I was unusu- 
ally 1 troubled and careful about many 
things/ and when Saturday night came, I 
could recall nothing I had done for my Re- 
deemer's cause. I was ashamed and wept, 
and when I arose on the Sabbath morning, 
I asked, 1 what shall I render to the Lord 
for all his benefits to me? though we can 
do nothing to commend ourselves to him, 
still, consecrated to his service, we should 
always be ready instruments to be used for 
him.' 7 

On our way to the church, — you re- 
member to shorten the distance we pass 
through a grove of oaks, — I saw two lads 
under the trees cracking nuts and making 
merry with a dog, quite regardless of the 
reverence due to the Sabbath. " Cannot I 
do something for you ?" I thought here are 
souls to save. I looked at my bundle of 
tracts but shrank from speaking, so bold 
and reckless did they appear. Jesus would 
not pass them by, I thought— I stopped and 



WHAT SHALL I D0 ? 



55 



offered them my tracts. " Here is some- 
thing for the Sabbath j will you not take 
these and read them?" they civilly accept- 
ed them and thanked me. Long after, 
while I was teaching my little ones in the 
church, I could look from the window and 
espy them busily reading under the tree — 
yes, and long after that, did I learn that 
those tracts became the means of conver- 
sion to one of those young men. Oh, what 
simple instrumentality will God sometimes 
bless ! Why should we ever shrink or be 
faithless and unbelieving when we have 
such a God to aid us. 

After church in the afternoon, they told 

me good Mrs. T s was fast declining; 

her little cottage is below our house. 
" Cannot I find one moment to visit her?" 
thought I. How gratefully did she look 
up and extend to me her emaciated hand 
as I entered, " and you have come to read 
to me from the blessed book," she said. I 
sat down by her bedside, and read at her 
request the 14th chapter of John. Her 



56 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



very soul seemed to drink in the delightful 
words. " How good ! how good ! how re- 
freshing !" she ejaculated again and again, 
fixing her gaze upon me, as if not to lose 
one word I uttered — "this is the true medi- 
cine after all — I have been trembling and 
down-hearted all day, but now I am com- 
forted — they are the words of my Saviour." 

It was a very little thing I had done, 
hardly the giving a cup of cold water, and 
yet, what comfort had been imparted to 
this aged believer. However I might have 
been disposed to enjoy the luxury of my 
own room and reflections, it was worth 
the relinquishing of greater luxury : so are 
we blessed, while blessing others. Return- 
ing home I met Mary — standing on the back 
piazza in thoughtful mood — it was towards 
the close of day and there was something 
in the declining Sun, the soft, silent air, 
that disposed to reflection. " And what 
are you thinking of Mary?" "Why, I believe 
I am home sick," she answered, half smil- 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



57 



ing, half in tears. Mary's mind was tender ; 
I knew she had pious, praying parents, and 
it seemed a moment to speak to her of that 
great friend who had died to save her. She 
listened eagerly, and how surprised was I, 
to find her anxious for her soul, longing to 
speak to a Christian friend ; if christians 
were more on the alert for mourning souls, 
they would often find them, when perhaps 
they least expected it. 

All these were slight occasions, easily 
passed by, readily overlooked, but it is 
only by taking advantage of slight, every 
day occasions, that we can be instant in 
season, serving our master. There are 
immortal spirits always about us to be 
saved and influenced, and there are lesser 
instrumentalities, that no man can number, 
always encompassing their paths, to be 
used for good or for evil, which if the Chris- 
tian will take hold of, may become a " sa- 
vor of life unto life." 

The poor, the sick, the afflicted have 



58 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



especial claims upon Christians, and they, 
in imitation of their Divine master, must 
seek out such, and carry to them their 
charities and love. Let every young disci- 
ple early make this, one sphere of her ac- 
tivity. Let there be many families, or few, 
or even one, to whom she may meekly 
take the balm of sympathy — to whom she 
can give encouragement and counsel, whom 
she may gladden by a little money, or 
work, or clothing, or food as need be, or as 
she have opportunity. How many dark, 
weary, anxious hours may be enlightened 
by your systematic, sympathizing benev- 
olence. How much real suffering re- 
lieved through your watchful and judicious 
care. This is a part of your duty now, 
and although it is overlooked and neglect- 
ed by a large number, let nothing excuse 
you. Remember that the joyful welcome, 
"Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the 
kingdom prepared for you," was addressed 
to those who had for Christ's sake visited 
the naked, the sick, the imprisoned, who 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



59 



like faithful laborers, abounded in the work 
of their Lord. 

If you act up to your great duties, you 
will experience the truth of that exclama- 
tion, uttered by one of whom a sadder rec- 
ord has been made in these preceding 
pages; u oh, I never began to live until 
now," she said, after returning from a labor 
of love, " and now do I know the happiness 
of living, the satisfaction of living and la- 
boring for the good of others." 



60 



WHAT SHALL I DO 1 

A WIDER SPHERE. 

You ask the question again, and there 
is yet more for you to do. Charity in- 
deed begins at home, but it does not end 
there; the stone is thrown upon the 
waters, and its first circles will indeed 
encompass your own door, but they grow 
wider and wider until they reach far be- 
yond your eye, and you wonder at their 
mighty sweep. You sustain, as a member 
of the Christian body, responsibilities which 
reach round the world : the most distant 
island of the sea, the most obscure tribe in 
Africa, has a claim upon you of great and 
solemn import, a claim which you must 
meet. The destitute and the prayerless in 
remote portions of your own land have de- 
mands upon you, which must be answered : 



WHAT SHALL I DO ? 61 

however quiet and shrinking you may be 
in your own home circle, you have duties all 
over the world, and your influence must be 
felt around the whole earth. At no period 
of the Christian dispensation has there been 
more to be done than at the present time. 
Highways for the gospel have been opened 
into every land but one. At no period 
has the great enemy of souls been more 
skillful in his manoeuvres to discourage and 
circumvent the people of God ; He has come 
into our own country, with money and tal- 
ent and craft from the Roman Pontiff, be- 
guiling the unwary and the unstable, and 
scattering dazzling delusions in the path of 
the ignorant and credulous. In flank and 
rear are the enemies of truth conflicting 
with the power of the gospel. The religion 
of forms and ceremonies presents a bristled 
front to the spiritual vitality of Evangelical 
doctrine, in every quarter of the globe. 
Christians must be up and doing; they 
have a great warfare to wage, a great vic- 
6 



62 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



tory to win. There were never so many 
engines of moral power to use, so many 
channels for influence, so many great levers 
which you may move, as at the present 
time. Perhap you know all this ? But do 
you feel it? Does it give you motive? does 
it make you act ? 

When we see what missionary effort has 
achieved, we rejoice, but Ave must remember 
its work is but just begun : its work is slow 
and toilsome — its means are oftentimes with 
difficulty wrung from the sympathies and 
charities of the church. Oh no, the church 
is but beginning to put forth its power. 
There is a moral energy, a moral heroism 
already in its bosom, which, if up and alert 
would soon go forth u conquering and to 
conquer." That energy must be put forth 
by individual effort, individual earnestness 
and prayer. Every disciple of the Lord, 
however humble or obscure, has a part and 
lot in this great matter. 

What can I do ? is a question big with 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



63 



meaning. Give of your substance, even as 
the Lord has prospered you. There are 
many who do give to the annual collections 
of some of the great benevolent societies, a 
small sum of money ; it is about as much 
as they happen to have in their purses, 
perhaps there is no particular demand for 
it elsewhere — perhaps there is a secret hank- 
ering for it for some other use — perhaps it 
is given quite pleasantly ; it is a sad truth 
that collectors generally deem their office a 
most unthankful one, so reluctantly do 
many give to the cause of Christ. While 
there are many who subscribe liberally, 
there is a large class who do it grudg- 
ingly. Prudent economy should never be 
despised, but it is greatly to be feared that 
a large portion of the disciples of Jesus 
have never yet begun to make sacrifices, in 
order to advance his kingdom. What sac- 
rifices have you made of your worldly gains, 
or of your time to carry on his great and 
blessed work 1 If you look on the history 



64 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



of your expenses for a week or a month, 
cannot you find something that could quite 
as well have been given up, and with it 
increased your moral power in the tract or 
missionary cause ? There are a great many 
young disciples, who live in comfortable 
and pleasant homes, and yet have little 
ready money to bestow ; what can you do? 
Cannot you give one day in ten, or one day 
in seven, or one hour in a week, to needle- 
work, the avails of which shall be your 
offering to your master's cause. There are 
few who cannot do this, and do it easily. 

A lady was ushered into a pleasant sit- 
ting room, where sat a mother with her 
daughters : there was a kind welcome, fol- 
lowed by the usual interchange of common 
remark. "I have been trying all this af- 
ternoon to get some one to make a couple 
of shirts," said the lady, "my husband is 
called unexpectedly away, and I am so 
hurried." 

One and another were suggested by the 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



65 



mother : they had been applied to, or were 
not deemed suitable. " I will be very happy 
to make them, Mrs. Allen/' timidly offered 
the eldest daughter, "how much do you 
give apiece?" 

"You make them, Ellen!" exclaimed the 
mother, "I do not know what time you 
have to make them." 

"You take in shirts to make!" echoed 
the younger sister. 

"Why, I have long wished to do more 
for western missions — although I have not 
much ready money to give, I have time 
enough of my own which I might employ 
in sewing, can I not mother ?" asked Ellen, 
quite undaunted. 

"I should hardly think it best," replied 
the mother, chagrined that Ellen should 
avow, what was certainly true, a want of 
ready money. 

"Mother, I should be glad to do it, and, 
why may I not ? Why not labor in this way 
for the cause of missions ? I will take no 
6* 



66 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



time which belongs to you, only my own 
spare moments to make them." Ellen was 
in earnest. 

There were objections made, urged by 
false pride on the part of the mother, by 
false shame on the part of the sister, but 
Ellen prevailed, and made preparation for 
her missionary work. 

The father of another young lady felt 
himself unable to give his daughter as much 
as she had desired for her missionary sub- 
scriptions. "I wish I could, my child, but 
I cannot this year, my business has not 
well prospered." To both it was a sad 
refusal, and the young Christian could have 
gone away and wept. She thought on the 
subject in the solitude of her chamber. 
" My father has enough to do, with a large 
family to provide for, and I ought not to 
expect it of him, but I cannot withdraw my 
contributions from those blessed enterprises. 
No, and I will not. I have hands, and 
time and opportunity, and I will labor for 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



67 



it. I will earn my own money." It was 
a noble resolution, and a resolution she de- 
layed not carrying into action. She pur- 
chased some yarn to knit infant's socks, 
which finding a ready market, enabled her 
not only to answer her present subscrip- 
tions, but even to enlarge them. 

Others can go and do likewise. If the 
cause of your Saviour is dear to your heart, 
you can do something for it. If you have 
a yearly income, think well before you 
decide to purchase an expensive or unneces- 
sary article of dress. Economize, practice 
self-denial, for the cause of Christ. His 
disciples must deny themselves before his 
kingdom can triumph. Let no false pride 
deter you from seeking work, if by this 
means you can aid in making up the thou- 
sands which are needed to preach the gos- 
pel every where. Money is pressingly 
needed to carry out the great plans of doing 
good ; what can you contribute ? Be firm 
and fearless : it matters little what the 



68 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



world say or think of you, if you are count- 
ed worthy to labor for your Saviour. 

Above all things be systematic and abid- 
ing in your contributions ; let not some 
passing appeal awaken your zeal at one 
time, which the cares or interests of life 
shall soon wither away ; it is only individ- 
ual exertion which sustains the operations 
of Christian philanthropy; if it cease or 
become lukewarm, those operations must 
languish and die. If you grow weary, 
others may catch the contagion ; and dare 
you palsy a single sinew of the church? 

What can you do in diffusing missionary 
intelligence among the young, in awaken- 
ing their interests and energies for these 
grand enterprises, in forming societies among 
them, to gather up the little rills of charity 
which are now beginning to flow from 
warm, young hearts. Children must early 
be trained to occupy their father's places; 
they will soon stand where their fathers 
stand, with ten-fold responsibility resting 



WHAT SHALL I DO ? 



69 



upon them, in maturing and carrying for- 
ward the work of Christian benevolence. 
They must be early inured to self-denial : 
in their habits of feeling, in the formation 
of their opinions, in their little daily expen- 
ses, constant reference should be made to 
the new duties and obligations which even 
childhood is now taught to assume ; children 
must be nursed and disciplined for the 
church ; their mite has already educated 
heathen children, given Bibles to the igno- 
rant, and sent Sabbath school libraries to 
the Valley of the Mississippi. Early trained 
to habits of enlarged liberality, "how 
stately will be the goings" of the church 
when the energies of manhood shall be 
awakened ! With brave hearts and stretch- 
ed out hands will they stand by her sacred 
institutions, hallowed by all the sweet as- 
sociations of happy childhood, valued for 
their long-tried good, and interwoven with 
their dearest hopes of heaven. 

Become so deeply interested in the great 



70 



WHAT SHALL I DO? 



works of Christian love that they involun- 
tarily form a part of your conversation when 
you meet your companions and friends. 
Talk of these things by the way, until your 
hearts burn, and Jesus will draw near to 
bless and direct your zeal and love for his 
service. 

Christians are too apt to regard these 
things as foreign subjects, when they meet 
together : they are alluded to and banished: 
no, they should become dear, familiar sub- 
jects of conversation and interest. You 
should awaken, incite, encourage each other 
by dwelling upon the triumphs of the gos- 
pel ; every new fact regarding the moral 
advancement or the moral aspect of the 
West, the East, the South, the North, 
should be repeated to your friend, that she 
may rejoice or mourn with you. 

Above all things, remember that your 
gifts, your labors and your prayers should 
ever go hand in hand. After all you can 
do, after all that the great and good may 



WHAT SHALL I DO 1 



71 



do all over the world, it is God alone who 
giveth the increase. Labor as if every- 
thing depended upon yourself, pray as if 
all things depended upon God. His bless- 
ing, like the dew and the rain and the sun- 
beam, alone produces the plentiful harvest. 
Without it, the land will be a moral waste, 
desolate and barren; with it, "it will bud 
and blossom as the rose. 7 ' 

God will be importuned by his people : 
He will not cease to be inquired of by the 
house of Israel : He would have the de- 
pendent, obedient, believing heart loving to 
draw near the mercy seat, clinging to the 
golden chain of promise, and asking, with 
ready, earnest zeal, " Lord, what wilt thou 
have me to do?" 



72 



HYMN. 

My few revolving years, 
How swift they glide away I 

How sliort the term of life appears? 
When past — but as a day ! 

A dark and cloudy day, 
Clouded by grief and sin ; 

A host of enemies without, 
Distressing fears within. 

Lord, through another year 

If thou permit my stay, 
With diligence may I pursue 
The true and living way ! 



m 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



